Read More

The project was called Secret Smiles on the Streets and afterwards an ecstatic Dave said: “Mission accomplished!

“On the day some dreams and ideas became a reality and my eyes, and those of the people with me, were opened to the extent to which we can help homeless, disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our area.

“The generosity of so many people helped make this happen.”

Dave said the best part of the day was speaking to a homeless man bedded down outside the Kingsgate Centre.

He was given a sleeping bag, essentials and Christmas gifts and thanked the volunteers with a big smile.

The group also left gifts on the cardboard where the homeless live in the town centre hoping to surprise them when they returned for the night.

In Milnsbridge a community Christmas Day dinner was held at the Village Hall with volunteers keen to get into the Christmas spirit while at the Jubilee Centre in Paddock mum-of-four Charlene Novak put on her annual Christmas lunch.